World's most beautiful Starbucks

Jul 06 (ONLY in JAPAN) - Where is the world's most beautiful Starbucks? Japan, of course.

In Toyama city's Kansui Park is a shop that has won awards for it's design, but it's also the location that makes it beautiful. Those big windows overlook a lake in a park, the building resting upon grass, surrounded by sakura trees. The fresh air off the sea of Japan and the beautiful sunsets over the nearby Japanese Alps can't be forgotten. I could sip a hot cappuccino all day here.

But wait! Starbucks newest shop in Kyoto (Ninenzaka) is a traditional tea house that looks centuries old! It's hard to tell it's a Starbucks until you see the sign. Inside, it's like going back in time. You definitely feel Kyoto's historical vibe sitting on tatami sipping macha tea ... lattes. This may also be the world's most beautiful shop.

Hakodate in Hokkaido is home to what many consider to be the "coziest Starbucks in the world". It's got a fireplace, wide open rooms and stairs, natural hard wood floors and a beautiful deck that overlooks Hakodate Bay. It's super cozy!

Yeah, visiting Starbucks is certainly one attraction for many visitors because it seems more than just a chain coffee shop. To me, it a reflection of the world around us -- and a really good cup of coffee.

Tokyo Court Rules Workplace Use of '-chan' as Sexual Harassment

A Tokyo District Court has ruled that addressing a colleague using the 'chan' suffix constitutes sexual harassment, ordering a male employee to pay 220,000 yen in damages.

Inside Japanese Fonts: How Designers Shape the Way We Read

Fonts are an invisible part of daily life, yet they profoundly shape how we perceive information and emotion. From the elegant Mincho to the bold Gothic, these designs are chosen according to purpose—whether to convey clarity, trust, or impact—and their influence extends beyond readability into branding and communication.

Knife-Wielding Man Arrested Near U.S. Embassy in Tokyo

A man wielding knives in both hands was arrested near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo’s Minato Ward on the afternoon of October 25th after injuring a riot police officer on duty.

Imperial Family Pays Tribute to War Victims

The Emperor, Empress, and their daughter Princess Aiko visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall in Sumida Ward on Thursday afternoon, marking their first visit to the site as Japan observes the 80th year since the end of World War II. They were greeted upon arrival by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and other officials.

First Snow Caps Mount Fuji, 15 Days Earlier Than Last Year

The Kofu Local Meteorological Observatory announced on October 23rd that the season’s first snow had been observed on Mount Fuji, which stands 3,776 meters tall. Around 6 a.m., an official visually confirmed that snow had clearly accumulated near the summit.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Nagoya High Court Confirms Acquittal in Cannabis Case

A 47-year-old man accused of possessing cannabis in Nagoya has been acquitted after the Nagoya High Court ruled that the procedures used to seize the evidence were illegal. The decision, handed down on October 9th, became final after prosecutors decided not to appeal.

Man Dies Trying to Save Elderly Couple From Bear

A 38-year-old man was killed on October 24th in the village of Higashinaruse, Akita Prefecture, after attempting to rescue a couple in their seventies who were being attacked by a bear.

Families Honor War Dead from Northern Territories

A memorial service marking 80 years since the end of World War II was held in Shari, a town in Hokkaido’s Shiretoko region, on October 22nd to honor those who perished in the Northern Territories and other areas.

Osaka Police End 14-Hour Siege

Police in Osaka arrested a 48-year-old man on October 22nd after a tense 14-hour standoff in which he allegedly held a woman at knifepoint inside an apartment. A special tactical unit forced entry into the residence late at night, ending the standoff without injuries.